For folks who want to get involved with reforming the mess that is Universal Service Fund (USF), this is for you.
Intercarrier Compensation/Universal Service Fund Reform Workshop
April 27, 2011 / 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM EDT / 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554
The second of three workshops on Universal Service reform will focus on modernizing current programs that support voice service into a Connect America Fund (CAF) that will drive investment in and access to 21st Century broadband and voice services in rural areas.
Universal service has been central to the Federal Communications Commission’s mission since the Communications Act of 1934 created the agency and committed our nation to making vital communications services accessible to all Americans. The Universal Service Fund has helped connect virtually every American to our 20th Century communications grid.
Panel discussions in the morning will focus on current and projected capabilities and deployment costs for different broadband technologies and how such capabilities and costs may impact the implementation of the Connect America Fund. The afternoon panel will focus on targeting support for areas unserved by broadband through the use of a technology-neutral competitive bidding.
In addition to the panel discussions, technology demonstrations of satellite broadband and 4G Wireless broadband services will be provided before and after the Workshop panels and during the lunch break.
Featuring a broad range of stakeholders, the workshops will inform the FCC’s consideration of proposals from the USF/ICC Transformation NPRM unanimously adopted Feb. 8, 2011. The FCC has indicated that it intends to adopt reforms in this rulemaking in the coming months.
- WHAT: Workshop on Modernizing Universal Service into a Connect America Fund
- WHERE: FCC Commission Room, 445 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20554
- WHEN: Wednesday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT
- WHO: FCC Chairman, Commissioners, and staff; outside panelists, state commissioners and staff
- LIVESTREAM: http://www.fcc.gov/live
- ONLINE PARTICIPATION VIA WEBEX:https://fccevents.webex.com/fccevents/onstage/g.php?d=996413375&t=a
- EMAIL ADDRESS FOR QUESTIONS TO THE WORKSHOP MODERATOR:USFReform@fcc.gov
WHAT: Workshop on Modernizing Universal Service into a Connect America Fund
WHERE: FCC Commission Room, 445 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20554
WHEN: Wednesday, April 27, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT
WHO: FCC Chairman, Commissioners, and staff; outside panelists, state commissioners and staff
LIVESTREAM: http://www.fcc.gov/live
ONLINE PARTICIPATION VIA WEBEX: https://fccevents.webex.com/fccevents/onstage/g.php?d=996413375&t=a
EMAIL ADDRESS FOR QUESTIONS TO THE WORKSHOP MODERATOR: USFReform@fcc.gov
TELEPHONE BRIDGE: 866-808-8519; Passcode: 3093784.
AGENDA
Note: this preliminary agenda is subject to change
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductory Remarks from Chairman Julius Genachowski, Commissioners and Sharon Gillett, Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Panel: Broadband Technology Capabilities Today and in the Future
· Ralph Brown, Chief Technology Officer, CableLabs
· Ken Ko, Senior Staff Scientist, ADTRAN
· Paul Mankiewich, Chief Architect, Mobility, Juniper Networks
· Mark Dankberg, Chairman & CEO, Viasat, Inc.
· Matt Larsen, Owner, Vistabeam
· Jim Stegeman, President, CostQuest
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Panel: Implications of Technology Capabilities for Achieving Universal Service Policy
Objectives
· Mark Cooper, Research Director, Consumer Federation of America
· Andrew Newell, General Counsel, Viaero Wireless
· Dave Bickett, GM/CEO, Park Region Mutual Telephone/Otter Tail Telcom/Valley Telephone
· Phil Jones, Commissioner, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
· Dr. Traci L. Morris, Homahota Consulting LLC and Native Public Media, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma
· David Russell, Solutions Marketing Director, Calix
· Christopher McLean, Senior Advisor, Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch break
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Presentation: The National Broadband Map Today and Where We Are Headed
· Angela Simpson, Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
· Michael Byrne, Geographic Information Officer, Federal Communications Commission
1:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Panel: Phase 1 of the Connect America Fund –Targeting Support for Unserved Areas Through Technology-Neutral Competitive Bidding
-Grant Spellmeyer, Senior Director – Legislative & Regulatory Affairs US Cellular
· Jason Hendricks. Director of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, RT Communications, Inc.
· Maggie McCready, Vice President , Federal Regulatory, Verizon
· Ross Lieberman, Vice President of Government Affairs, American Cable Association
· Greg Rosston, Deputy Director, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Technology Demonstration Area
Technology demonstrations of satellite broadband service will be provided by WildBlue/ViaSat and demonstrations of 4G Wireless broadband service will be provided by Verizon before and after the panels and during the lunch break: (1) 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., (2) 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., and (3) 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Respectfully,
Rick Harnish
Executive Director
WISPA
260-307-4000 cell
866-317-2851 Option 2 WISPA Office
Skype: rick.harnish.
